WSH (Operation of Cranes) Regulations 2011

Workplace Safety and Health (Operation of Cranes) Regulations 2011

PART II
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Lifting plan

4.—(1)  Where any lifting operation involving the use of any crane is carried out in a workplace by a crane operator, it shall be the duty of the responsible person to establish and implement a lifting plan which shall be in accordance with the generally accepted principles of safe and sound practice.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to ensure that the lifting plan referred to in paragraph (1) is made available for inspection upon request by an inspector.

Requirements to operate mobile crane with safe working load exceeding 5 tonnes and tower crane

5.—(1)  A person must not operate a mobile crane with a safe working load exceeding 5 tonnes or a tower crane in a workplace unless —

(a) the person is a registered crane operator; and

(b) where required by the Commissioner, the registered crane operator has produced a current medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner certifying that the registered crane operator is medically fit to operate the mobile crane or tower crane.

(2)  A person, whether or not the person has fulfilled the requirements in paragraph (1), may drive a mobile crane with a safe working load exceeding 5 tonnes in a workplace if the person is the holder of a driving licence issued under the Road Traffic Act (Cap. 276) authorising the person to drive a mobile crane of a class or description permitted by the licence, but the person must not operate the mobile crane with a safe working load exceeding 5 tonnes in the workplace unless the person also satisfies the requirements referred to in paragraph (1).

(3)  It is the duty of the responsible person to ensure that no person is employed, permitted or made to operate a mobile crane with a safe working load exceeding 5 tonnes or tower crane in a workplace, unless that person satisfies the requirements referred to in paragraph (1).

(4)  In this regulation, “mobile crane” excludes a lorry loader.

[S 4/2016 wef 07/01/2016]

Requirements to operate mobile crane with safe working load not exceeding 5 tonnes and lorry loader

5A.—(1)  A person must not operate a mobile crane with a safe working load not exceeding 5 tonnes (called in this regulation a mini crane) or a lorry loader in a workplace unless —

(a) the person has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner, on the operation of the mini crane or lorry loader;

(b) where required by the Commissioner, the person referred to in sub-paragraph (a) has successfully completed a retraining course acceptable to the Commissioner on the operation of the mini crane or lorry loader; and

(c) where required by the Commissioner, the person referred to in sub-paragraph (a) has produced a current medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner certifying that the person is medically fit to operate the mini crane or lorry loader.

(2)  A person, whether or not the person has fulfilled the requirements in paragraph (1), may drive a mini crane or lorry loader in a workplace if the person is the holder of a driving licence issued under the Road Traffic Act (Cap. 276) authorising the person to drive a mini crane or lorry loader of a class or description permitted by the licence, but the person must not operate the mini crane or lorry loader in the workplace unless the person also satisfies the requirements referred to in paragraph (1).

(3)  It is the duty of the responsible person to ensure that no person operates a mini crane or a lorry loader in a workplace unless that person satisfies the requirements referred to in paragraph (1).

PART III
REGISTRATION OF CRANE OPERATORS
Application for registration to be crane operator

6.—(1)  A person may apply to the Commissioner for his approval to register as a crane operator.

(2)  An application under paragraph (1) shall be —

(a) in such form and manner as the Commissioner may determine; and

(b) accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the Third Schedule and such fee shall not be refundable.

(3)  Upon receiving an application under paragraph (1), the Commissioner may, subject to regulation 7 —

(a) issue the person with a certificate of registration to act as a crane operator subject to such conditions as the Commissioner may think fit to impose; or

(b) refuse to approve the application.

Requirements for registration as crane operator

7.—(1)  A person may register as a crane operator if he satisfies the Commissioner that —

(a) he has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner on the operation of a mobile crane or tower crane;

(b) he has, in the opinion of the Commissioner, sufficient experience in operating a mobile crane or tower crane and has passed a proficiency test acceptable to the Commissioner; or

(c) he possesses any other equivalent qualification acceptable to the Commissioner.

(2)  The Commissioner may require an applicant to produce a current medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner which certifies that the applicant is medically fit to operate a mobile crane or tower crane.

(3)  The Commissioner shall not register an applicant who has been certified by a registered medical practitioner to be unfit to operate a mobile crane or tower crane.

Certificate of registration

8.—(1)  A certificate of registration to act as a crane operator shall, unless the registration is earlier cancelled, be valid for a period of 2 years from the date of registration or for such shorter period as the Commissioner may specify in the certificate of registration.

(2)  A certificate of registration shall not be transferable.

(3)  Where a certificate of registration is lost, destroyed or defaced, the holder of the certificate may apply to the Commissioner for a replacement certificate on payment of the appropriate fee specified in the Third Schedule.

(4)  An application under paragraph (3) to the Commissioner shall be supported by such documentary proof that the certificate of registration issued earlier is lost, destroyed or defaced.

Register of crane operators

9.  The Commissioner shall keep an up-to-date register of all persons registered as crane operators.

Production of certificate of registration upon request

10.—(1)  It shall be the duty of a registered crane operator to produce his certificate of registration for inspection upon request by an inspector.

(2)  Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Renewal of registration

11.—(1)  An application by a person for the renewal of his certificate of registration to act as a crane operator shall be made in such form and manner as the Commissioner may determine, and shall be accompanied by the appropriate fee specified in the Third Schedule.

(2)  Any renewal fee paid under paragraph (1) shall not be refundable.

(3)  Upon receiving an application for the renewal of registration under paragraph (1), the Commissioner may —

(a) renew the certificate of registration to act as a crane operator for a period of 2 years or for such shorter period as the Commissioner may specify in the certificate of registration; or

(b) refuse the application for renewal if the Commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is no longer a fit and proper person to be registered as a crane operator.

Conditions for renewal of registration as crane operator

12.—(1)  The Commissioner may impose such conditions for the renewal of registration as a crane operator as he thinks fit.

(2)  The conditions referred to in paragraph (1) may include any one or all of the following:

(a) requiring an applicant to attend a refresher course acceptable to the Commissioner on the operation of a mobile crane or a tower crane;

(b) requiring an applicant to pass a proficiency test acceptable to the Commissioner for crane operation;

(c) requiring an applicant to produce a current medical certificate from a registered medical practitioner which certifies that the applicant is medically fit to operate a mobile crane or tower crane.

Suspension and cancellation of registration

13.—(1)  The Commissioner may suspend or cancel the registration of any registered crane operator if the Commissioner is satisfied that the registered crane operator —

(a) has obtained his registration under these Regulations by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact;

(b) has been certified by a registered medical practitioner to be unfit to operate a mobile crane or a tower crane; or

(c) has failed to comply with any of the duties set out in these Regulations.

(2)  It shall be the duty of a registered crane operator upon becoming aware of any medical condition which may render him unfit to operate a mobile crane or a tower crane to inform the Commissioner of such medical condition without undue delay.

(3)  Any person who contravenes paragraph (2) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and, in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

Notice of suspension and cancellation of registration

14.—(1)  When the Commissioner has suspended or cancelled the registration of a registered crane operator under regulation 13, the Commissioner shall inform the registered crane operator concerned by notice in writing of such suspension or cancellation.

(2)  The suspension or cancellation shall take effect 21 days after the date of the service of the notice on the registered crane operator or, if an appeal against the suspension or cancellation of registration has been made to the Minister under paragraph (4), on the date the Minister dismisses the appeal.

(3)  Notwithstanding that the suspension or cancellation has not taken effect, any registered crane operator whose registration is suspended or cancelled by the Commissioner shall not, between the date of the service of the notice of suspension or cancellation and the date the suspension or cancellation takes effect (both dates inclusive), operate a mobile crane (not being a lorry loader) or a tower crane.

(4)  A registered crane operator whose registration has been suspended or cancelled by the Commissioner under regulation 13 may, within 21 days of the date of the service of the notice of suspension or cancellation, appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final.

(5)  The notice of suspension or cancellation may be served on any person by delivering it to him, or by leaving it at, or sending it by registered post to, his last known residential address.

Surrender of certificate

15.—(1)  A registered crane operator shall immediately surrender to the Commissioner his certificate of registration when the suspension or cancellation takes effect in accordance with regulation 14(2).

(2)  Any person who contravenes paragraph (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both.

Duties of crane operator

16.  It shall be the duty of a crane operator —

(a) before the start of every workshift, to carry out operational tests on all limiting and indicating devices under no load conditions before any lifting operation is carried out and shall enter the results of such tests in a log book or log-sheet;

(b) to ascertain whether the ground conditions, in particular the ground surface on which a mobile crane is to be operated, are safe for travel or any lifting operation; and if he is of the opinion that it is not safe for travel or any lifting operation, he shall report this to the lifting supervisor;

(c) to ensure that any outrigger when it is required is fully extended and secured;

(d) not to carry out any lifting operation unless he has been briefed by the lifting supervisor on the lifting plan referred to in regulation 4;

(e) not to hoist any object if he is unable to ascertain the weight of the load;

(f) not to hoist any load unless he has received a clear signal from a signalman when this is required under regulation 19;

(g) not to engage in any act or manoeuvre which is not in accordance with safe and sound practice;

(h) not to hoist any load if there is any obstruction in the path of manoeuvre and if there is any such obstruction, he shall report this immediately to the lifting supervisor;

(i) not to manoeuvre or hold any suspended load over any public road or public area unless that road or area has been cordoned off;

(j) not to operate a mobile crane or a tower crane within 3 metres of any live overhead power line;

(k) not to use the crane for any operation for which it is not intended, including pulling or dragging a load;

(l) to ensure that any stationary truck mounted or wheel mounted crane is adequately and securely blocked while it is on a slope; and

(m) to report any failure or malfunction of the crane to the lifting supervisor and to make an appropriate entry of the failure or malfunction in the log book or log-sheet of the crane.

PART IV
APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF PERSONNEL
Appointment and duties of lifting supervisor

17.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to appoint a lifting supervisor before any lifting operation involving the use of any crane is carried out in a workplace.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person not to appoint any person as a lifting supervisor for any lifting operation involving the use of a crane in a workplace unless the person is one who —

(a) has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner to equip him to become a lifting supervisor; and

(b) has, in the opinion of the responsible person, such relevant experience in lifting operations for a period of not less than one year before the appointment as a lifting supervisor.

(3)  It shall be the duty of the lifting supervisor appointed under paragraph (1) —

(a) to co-ordinate all lifting activities;

(b) to supervise all lifting operation by a mobile crane or tower crane in accordance with the lifting plan referred to in regulation 4;

(c) to ensure that only registered crane operators, appointed riggers and appointed signalmen participate in any lifting operation involving the use of a mobile crane or a tower crane;

(d) to ensure that the ground conditions are safe for any lifting operation to be performed by any mobile crane;

(e) to brief all crane operators, riggers and signalmen on the lifting plan referred to in regulation 4; and

(f) if any unsatisfactory or unsafe conditions are reported to him by any crane operator or rigger, take such measures to rectify the unsatisfactory or unsafe condition or otherwise ensure that any lifting operation is carried out safely.

Appointment and duties of rigger

18.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to appoint a rigger before any lifting operation involving the use of any mobile crane or tower crane is carried out in the workplace by a crane operator.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person —

(a) not to appoint any person as a rigger in a workplace unless the person has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner to equip him to be a rigger; and

(b) to ensure that the rigger who is appointed under paragraph (1) is attired in such a way as would distinctively identify him as a rigger.

(3)  No person shall rig up loads for any lifting operation by a mobile crane or tower crane unless he is a rigger appointed in accordance with paragraph (1).

(4)  It shall be the duty of a rigger appointed under paragraph (1) to —

(a) check the slings to be used for slinging the loads to ensure that the slings are of good construction, sound and suitable material, adequate strength and free from patent defect;

(b) ensure that an adequate number of legs of the sling are used and that the slinging angle is correct so as to prevent the sling from being overloaded during the hoisting;

(c) ascertain the weight of the load which is to be lifted and inform the crane operator of the weight of the load;

(d) ensure that only proper lifting gears are used in conjunction with the sling;

(e) ensure that the load to be lifted is secure, stable and balanced;

(f) ensure that any loose load (which includes any stone, brick or tile) is placed in a receptacle to prevent the load or part thereof from falling during the lifting operation;

(g) place adequate padding at the edges of the load which come in contact with the sling so as to prevent the sling from being damaged; and

(h) report any defect in the lifting gear to the lifting supervisor.

Appointment and duties of signalman

19.—(1)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person to appoint a signalman before any lifting operation involving the use of any mobile crane or tower crane is carried out in a workplace by a crane operator.

(2)  It shall be the duty of the responsible person —

(a) not to appoint any person as a signalman in a workplace unless the person has successfully completed a training course acceptable to the Commissioner to equip him to be a signalman; and

(b) to ensure that the signalman who is appointed under paragraph (1) is attired in such a way as would distinctively identify him as a signalman.

(3)  No person shall give signal to the crane operator unless he is a signalman appointed in accordance with paragraph (1).

(4)  It shall be the duty of the signalman appointed under paragraph (1) to —

(a) ensure or verify with the rigger that the load is properly rigged up before he gives a clear signal to the crane operator to lift the load; and

(b) give correct and clear signals to guide the crane operator in the manoeuvre of the load safely to its destination.

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